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Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

This rich, creamy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken has the taste of authentic Indian butter chicken, made easy and healthy with everyday ingredients and veggies!

Imported from wellplated.comJan 14, 2026added by Rauf T.Is this yours? Claim itRequest removal

✨ Start Cook Mode
Creamy butter chicken with cauliflower over rice, topped with cilantro
Prep
⏱️ 10m
Cook
🍳 300m
Total
⏰ 310m
Servings
6

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken takes 5 hr 10 min (10 min prep, 5 hr cooking) and serves 6.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

✨ Meez Magic · 5 steps → 5 actions

Ready to cook?

Immersive step-by-step Cook Mode with timers.

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1

In a nonstick skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced ginger, minced garlic, curry powder, garam masala, chili powder, salt, and tomato paste. Cook until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds.

2

Transfer the spiced onion mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Lay the chicken breasts on top, then add the cauliflower florets, and pour the tomato sauce over everything. Gently stir to coat the florets with sauce while keeping the chicken pieces mostly undisturbed. Scatter the butter pieces evenly over the top of the mixture.

3

Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Check early to ensure the chicken does not dry out. When the chicken is done, remove the breasts to a cutting board and let cool slightly.

4

At this point, check the cauliflower for tenderness. If not tender, give the contents of the slow cooker a big stir to coat the florets with sauce. Recover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH until the cauliflower florets are completely tender, about 30 minutes to 1 hour more.

5

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut it into bite-size pieces. Return the chicken to the slow cooker with the tender cauliflower florets. Stir in the half-and-half (or coconut milk) and let cool for a few minutes. Then gently stir in the Greek yogurt to prevent curdling. Serve warm over brown rice, quinoa, or naan, and sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.

🎉

You're all done!

Enjoy your slow cooker butter chicken — and don't forget to share.

From Cook Mode

Tips as you cook

  • Gather Spice & Sauce BaseMise en place makes cooking easier
  • Watch out · Cook Onion & SpicesStir constantly so spices don't burn
  • Layer Slow CookerKeep chicken mostly undisturbed for even cooking
  • Watch out · Slow Cook ChickenCheck early to avoid dry chicken
  • Finish CauliflowerStir well to coat florets evenly
  • Chop Cooked ChickenLet chicken rest briefly before cutting
  • Return Chicken & CreamLet it cool slightly before adding yogurt
  • Stir in YogurtStir gently so yogurt doesn't curdle

Swaps, storing and making ahead

Good to know

Storing it

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot, stirring to recombine the sauce.

Making it ahead

The spiced onion and tomato paste mixture can be made and refrigerated a day ahead, then added to the slow cooker when ready to cook.

Notes by Meez Magic, written for this recipe. Use your judgment.

Per serving (1 of 6)

Nutrition

Calories
346 kcal
Protein
39 g
Carbohydrates
19 g
Sugar
10 g
Fiber
5 g
Fat
13 g
Saturated fat
7 g
Cholesterol
115 mg

As published by wellplated.com. Meez doesn't calculate nutrition.

The story behind itWhere Does Butter Chicken Come From? A Short HistoryButter chicken is a creamy, tomato-rich Indian curry with a history that is still being argued over in court. Here is where it comes from, how it varies, and how to build a meal around the slow cooker version.

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